What’s a tourist to do? Well, they could do far worst than pick up a copy of Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide by Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt. The guide is a compendium of the wildest, weirdest, and nastiest creatures that Japan has to offer. The book is divided into five chapters that separate Yokai–Japanese monsters and spirits, not to be confused with Yurei, which are ghosts–by theme. These range from the merely gross to the outright dangerous and everywhere in between.
Each entry focuses on a specific Yokai (although some lump creatures who are closely related together for the sake of convenience), laying out their general appearance, habits, strength, weakness, and how to avoid or escape their attention. It also delves into the probably origins of each creature, many of which are simply explanations for natural events or even puns based on turns of phrase, a literal case of language coming to life.
Written in lively and accessible prose, Yokai Attack! is an easy read. This is no scholarly treatise on Yokai folklore, nor does it try to be. Beautiful illustrations based on the sometimes highly variable folkloric descriptions grace every entry, along with photos of various Yokai paraphernalia including toys, and copies of images from 18th century Japanese folkloric texts.
Overall, Yokai Attack! is an entertaining and informative read. While it is certainly not an in depth work on the history of Yokai, it also does not gloss over the topic. It is respectful of its subject matter, while maintaining a playfulness that makes it a fun book. While it seems that the book is aimed toward kids, anyone with an interest in Japanese folklore should find it an entertaining read. Besides, you never know when knowing how to thwart a Tanuki or outwit the Slit-Mouthed Woman may come in handy!
Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide is available on Amazon
and Tuttle Publishing.
